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Mallet Finger Treatment in Pune
Get advanced mallet finger treatment in Pune with orthopaedic surgeons providing tendon repair and movement rehabilitation.
Overview
Mallet finger is a common hand injury that affects the tip of your finger, making it droop downward like a hammer or mallet. This condition happens when the extensor tendon that helps straighten your fingertip gets damaged or torn. The injury typically occurs at the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint, which is the small joint closest to your fingernail.
When you have a mallet finger, you’ll notice that your fingertip bends down and you can’t straighten it on your own. While you might be able to push it straight with your other hand, it won’t stay that way without support. This injury is also called baseball finger because it commonly happens during sports when a ball hits the extended fingertip.
Symptoms
Recognizing mallet finger symptoms is important for getting proper treatment. Here are the main signs to watch for:
- Drooping fingertip – Your finger tip bends downward and won’t straighten on its own
- Pain and swelling – The injured area becomes painful and swollen right after the injury
- Bruising – You may see bruising around the affected joint
- Tenderness – The joint area feels tender when touched
- Loss of function – You can’t actively straighten the fingertip, though you might be able to push it straight with your other hand
- Blood under the nail – Sometimes blood collects under the fingernail, which may indicate a more serious injury
Causes
Mallet finger happens when something forces your fingertip to bend more than it normally should. This excessive bending damages the extensor tendon that helps straighten your finger. Common causes include:
Sports injuries are the most frequent cause, especially in:
- Baseball – when a ball hits your extended fingertip
- Basketball, volleyball, and football
- Any sport involving catching or hitting balls
Everyday activities can also cause this injury:
- Making beds or tucking in sheets
- Putting on socks or clothing
- Minor impacts during household tasks
- Workplace accidents
Other causes include:
- Deep cuts on the back of the finger that sever the tendon
- Avulsion fractures – when the tendon pulls away a small piece of bone
- Arthritis-related tendon weakening over time
Surprisingly, even minor forces can cause mallet finger, especially in older adults during routine daily activities.
Risk Factors
While anyone can develop mallet finger, certain factors increase your risk:
Age and gender patterns:
- Young to middle-aged men (often from sports injuries)
- Older women (frequently from minor household activities)
Activity-related risks:
- Playing ball sports like cricket, basketball, or volleyball
- Certain occupational activities
- Age-related tendon changes that make the extensor tendon more vulnerable
Special considerations for children:
- Injuries involving the growth plate require immediate attention
- Can occur from crushing injuries like fingers caught in doors
Diagnosis
Diagnosing a mallet finger usually involves a physical examination and imaging tests. Your doctor will:
Physical examination:
- Check how your finger looks and moves
- Test your ability to straighten the fingertip
- Look for signs of other injuries
Imaging tests:
- X-rays – taken from multiple angles to check for bone fractures
- Ultrasound or MRI – may be used to get detailed views of the tendon and soft tissues
Your doctor will also determine if you have:
- A simple tendon tear
- An avulsion fracture (tendon pulled away with bone)
- Joint dislocation or misalignment
Getting diagnosed within the first few days is important, especially if there’s blood under your nail or the nail is loose, as these signs may indicate more serious injury.
Types
Mallet finger injuries are classified into different types based on their characteristics:
Type 1 – Closed Injury:
- Most common type
- Involves tendon rupture or small bone fragment
- No open wound
Type 2 – Open Injury with Cut:
- Cut through skin and tendon on back of finger
- Requires immediate medical attention
Type 3 – Deep Abrasion:
- Deep scrape involving skin and tendon
- Needs prompt treatment to prevent infection
Type 4 – Mallet fracture:
- Involves avulsion fracture of finger bone
- Further divided based on patient age and fracture size
Timing classification:
- Acute – within 4 weeks of injury
- Chronic – more than 4 weeks after injury
Treatment
Treatment for extensor tendon injuries depends on the severity, location, and type of injury. Options range from conservative management to surgical intervention.
Non-Surgical Treatment:
Splinting is the cornerstone of conservative treatment for many extensor tendon injuries:
- DIP extension splinting for mallet finger – keeps the fingertip straight for 6-8 weeks
- PIP extension splinting for boutonniere deformity – maintains the middle joint in extension
- MCP extension splinting for knuckle injuries – protects the repair site
RICE Method for extensor tendinitis:
- Rest the affected area
- Ice to reduce swelling
- Compression with elastic bandages
- Elevation when possible
- Anti-inflammatory medications for pain relief
Surgical Treatment:
Surgical repair becomes necessary when:
- The tendon is completely severed
- More than 50% of the tendon width is damaged
- There’s a large bone fragment attached to the torn tendon
- Conservative treatment has failed
Surgical Options:
- Direct tendon repair – Suturing the torn ends together
- Tendon reconstruction – Using grafts from other body parts
- Tendon transfer – Redirecting healthy tendons to restore function
- Bone fixation – Securing bone fragments with pins or screws
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation helps restore full function to your finger after mallet finger injury. Exercises are done in phases:
During Splinting Phase
While wearing your splint, you can do exercises for the rest of your hand:
- Knuckle bending – bend and straighten your large knuckles
- Middle joint movement – gently bend the middle joint of the injured finger using your other hand
- Uninvolved finger exercises – keep other fingers flexible with stretching
After Splint Removal
Once your splint comes off, specific exercises help restore motion:
- Finger gliding exercises – move fingers through different positions
- Passive stretching – use your other hand to gently stretch the stiff finger
- Strengthening activities – gradually return to normal use
Complications
Without proper treatment or with poor compliance, mallet finger can lead to several problems:
- Permanent drooping – fingertip remains bent
- Swan neck deformity – abnormal finger positioning with middle joint hyperextended
- Stiffness and chronic pain
- Arthritis development over time
- Growth problems in children if growth plate is affected
- Nail deformities or ridging
- Infection (especially with open injuries or surgery)
Prevention
While you can’t prevent all mallet finger injuries, you can reduce your risk:
Sports safety:
- Learn proper catching and ball-handling techniques
- Use protective gear when available and appropriate
- Be aware of finger positioning during sports activities
Daily life precautions:
- Be mindful during household tasks like bed-making
- Take care when putting on clothing
- Avoid putting excessive stress on extended fingertips
Workplace safety:
- Follow proper safety procedures
- Use appropriate protective equipment
- Be aware of potential finger injury risks in your work environment
Living With Mallet Finger
Managing a mallet finger requires patience and commitment to your treatment plan. Here’s what to expect:
During treatment:
- Strict splint compliance is essential for success
- Use ice and elevation to manage initial swelling and pain
- Take over-the-counter pain medication as directed
- Protect the splint from getting wet
After treatment:
- Some tenderness, swelling, or redness may persist for months
- A slight droop or small bump might remain permanently
- These usually don’t cause pain or affect function significantly
- Continue rehabilitation exercises as prescribed
Long-term outlook:
- Most people recover well with good function
- Minor cosmetic changes are common but rarely problematic
- Return to sports and activities is usually possible
- Regular follow-up helps ensure proper healing
Key Takeaways
- Mallet finger is a treatable finger injury that causes fingertip drooping due to extensor tendon damage
- Early recognition and treatment provide the best outcomes for recovery
- Splinting for 6-8 weeks is the standard treatment for most cases, requiring strict compliance
- Surgery is reserved for complex injuries with fractures, dislocations, or open wounds
- Proper rehabilitation is crucial for restoring full finger function and preventing stiffness
- Most patients achieve good functional outcomes with appropriate treatment and follow-up care
At Sancheti Hospital, we have seen many patients successfully recover from mallet finger injuries through our comprehensive treatment approach. Our specialized hand and orthopedic team understands that finger injuries can significantly impact your daily life, work, and recreational activities.
We provide expert diagnosis using state-of-the-art imaging technology to accurately assess the extent of your injury and determine the most appropriate treatment plan. Our experienced doctors offer both conservative management with custom splinting solutions and advanced surgical interventions when necessary.
What sets us apart is our patient-centered approach – we ensure you understand your condition, treatment options, and recovery timeline. Our dedicated physiotherapy team designs personalized rehabilitation programs to restore full finger function and prevent complications.
We maintain close follow-up throughout your healing journey, adjusting treatment protocols as needed to achieve optimal outcomes.
Meet Our Hand & Microvascular Specialists
Patient Stories & Experiences
The pain in my left knee left me feeling helpless for years. After my treatment here, I can finally say I'm pain-free.
Vinita Singh
The nerves were swollen, and the body went numb. But thanks to Sancheti Hospital, I got a second life!
Parvati
I finally could walk again, a relief I've only felt after the hip pain surgery. I thank the doctors at Sancheti Hospital for their help.
Balaji Kharat
I'm a police officer, and I'm extremely thankful to Sancheti Hospital for treating my fracture without surgery.
Shantilal
My life has completely changed after the knee replacement surgery at Sancheti Hospital. It's like I can finally live again!
Kalpana Lepcha
The knee pain I've carried for years finally went away with the help of Sancheti Hospital.
Karuna
I can't believe that I get to finally live a normal and happy life, all thanks to the knee surgery I had at Sancheti Hospital.
Kishore Bhosle
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a mallet finger take to heal?
With proper splinting, most mallet finger injuries heal in 6-8 weeks of continuous splint wear, followed by 2-8 weeks of nighttime splinting. Complete recovery including rehabilitation may take 3-4 months.
Can I shower with a mallet finger splint?
You should keep your splint dry. Use a waterproof covering or remove it briefly for cleaning, but keep your fingertip perfectly straight on a flat surface during cleaning.
Will my finger look normal after mallet finger treatment?
Most fingers heal with good function, though a slight droop or small bump may remain. These cosmetic changes rarely affect function or cause pain.
What happens if I accidentally bend my finger during splint treatment?
If your DIP joint bends during the healing period, it can disrupt recovery. Contact your doctor immediately, as you may need to restart the full splinting period.
Can mallet finger happen again after it heals?
While re-injury is possible with significant trauma, a properly healed mallet finger is not more likely to be injured than a normal finger.
